TENSES

Present Simple
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
He He he
She Works. She does not [doesn't) work. Does she Work?
It It it

I I I
We We we
Work. Do not [don't) work. Do Work?
You You you
They They they

• [he - she - it] , [the boy - the girl- the car], : the boy [He] reads. - The girl [She] sings. –
The car [It] stops.
• Verb that ends with [ch - sh - ss - O - x], add the letters 'es' to the verb:
teach/es - push/es - kiss/es - go/es - mix/es-fix/es
• When the verb ends with 'y' preceded by a consonant change the 'y' into 'ies':
Cry [cries] - try [tries] - fly [flies] - study [studies]
• When the verb ends with 'y' preceded by a vowel [a. e. i. o. u.], add the letter's' without
changes  Play [plays] buy [buys] stay [stays] pay [pays]

• The present simple tense describes facts or habits:

The world is round. Fact
Water boils at 100°C. Fact
Lamya plays the piano every day. Habit
I often go to the club on Fridays. Habit

• This tense is often used with the following words:

Always
Often
Usually
Generally
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely

Examples
Mothers always love their children.
How often do you pray there? "Five times a day".
He usually works hard.
Frequently, I travel by train.
It rarely snows in Egypt.
Exercise

Correct the verbs: Some verbs are right.

1. A business man usually [work] in an office.
2. A fireman always [put] out fire.
3. He [fly] to Italy every summer.
4. He never [sit] at the same place every night.
5. It [be] August, but it is not very hot. fireman
6. Musicians always [play] together in an orchestra.
7. Every Friday, I [visit] my sister.
8. An artist often [use] paint to draw pictures.
9. Mana1 usually [do] her housework in the morning.
10. The porter usually [carry] bags.
11. He [laugh] best who laughs last.
12. A secretary always [help] her boss to plan his time.
13. An early bird always [catch] the worm.
14. Bad news often [travel] fast.
15. History often [repeat] itself.
16. The earth [revolve] round the sun.
17. He is a mechanic. He always [repair] cars.
18. A nurse generally [look] after her patients.
19. A bee is a useful insect which [make] honey.
20. Four eyes [see] more than two.
21. I frequently [go] to the cinema on Sundays.
22. 'No, thank you. I not [smoke].'
23. Banks open at eight o'clock and [close] at two.
24. A lion never [hunt] when it is not hungry.
25. Hind [watch] television every day.
Present Continuous
Form verb to be (am I is I are) + infinitive + ing
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I am not ('m not)
I am ('m) working. Am I working?
working.
He He he
She is ('s) working. She is not [isn't] working. Is she working?
It It it
We We we
You are ('re) working.You are not (aren't) working. Are you working?
They They they

1. This tense is used in continuous actions at the time of speaking:

I am not working now. / She is watching TV at this moment. / They are still writing.

2. • This tense is used to express future happenings

What are you doing this evening? / I am flying to London tomorrow
.
3. • This tense is used to express changing situations
The prices are rising very fast. / Is your English getting better?

4. • This tense is often used with the following words and expressions:
Now - At this moment - At the present time - Take care - Look! - Listen! - Still- Today - This season

5. • If the verb ends with the letter 'e', drop it when adding 'ing':
write  writing shave  shaving come  coming

6. If the letter before last is a vowel [for some verbs], repeat the last letter when adding 'ing':
sit  sittingput  putting run  running

7. A number of verbs are rarely used with this tense such as:
• Verbs that describe opinions: think, suppose, agree, believe, know, forget, remember
• Verbs that describe emotions: love, like, hate ,want ,wish, prefer
• Verbs that describe senses: hear, see, smell, taste, feel
• Other verbs: be, have, seem, belong, appear, own, contain, consist, notice, mean, weigh
 Exercises
I- Correct the verbs between brackets: Some verbs are right.
1. Look over there! The horse [jump] over the fence.
2. Hurry up! The bus [come].
3. Is Maha [read] now?
4. At this moment, Tom [run] fast.
5. I'm still [learning] how to drive.
6. They [want] to watch TV show.
7. Farmers not [grow] any apples this season.
8. Listen! Fayrouz [sing] on the radio.
9. The children [feel] safe at the moment.
10. Turn the gas off. The water [boil].

II- Correct: present simple or continuous: Some verbs are right

1. Stop that noise. I [study] my lessons.
2. The minister [give] an important speech now.
3. Farida always [wear] a white blouse.
4. That portable computer [cost] much money.
5. She is still ill, but she [get] better slowly.
6. The river Nile [flow] into the Mediterranean Sea.
7. I [save] money now because I [go] to England in June.
8. At this moment, they [are enjoying] their time.
9. Let us go out. It not [rain] any more.
10. Bears often [eat] flesh.

III- Choose the correct answer:

1. It often [snow - snowing - snows - is snowing] in Ireland.

2. Look! They [leave - are leaving -leaving - leaves] the club.
3. Now, I [am trying - trying - tried - tries] to solve this problem.
4. Take care! The train [move - moving - moves - is moving].
5. He usually [drink - is drinking - drinking - drinks] coffee.
6. She [drink - is drinking - drinking - drinks] tea now.
7. The mechanic always [repairs - repair - is repairing] cars.
8. Watch out! I [am smelling - smell-smells] gas in the kitchen.
9. She thinks she [is hearing - hear - hears] noise outside.
10. I [am not working - don't work - doesn't work] this weekend.
11. We [need - are needing - needs - needing] help at once.
12. She [wants - want - wanting - is wanting] to study abroad.
13. Lu [read - reads - is reading - reading] a comic book now.
14. Practice always [make - makes - is making - made] perfect.
15. Farmers usually [use - are using - used] animals in the field.
16. Smoking [damage - damages - is damaging] the lungs.
17. Sleeping early [make - makes - making] you healthy.
 18. Nurses always [look -looks - are looking] after their patients.
19. This season, farmers [grow - growing - are growing] cotton.
20. He [is owning - own - owns - owning] a house near the sea.

IV. Use one of the following verbs in the correct form to complete these sentences:
go - tell - see - drink - boil - rain - climb - spend eat - wait - make - sing - shout - work – need

1.Our earth goes round the sun.

2.She --------- her dentist twice a week.
3.A liar never --------- the truth.
4.The water --------- shall I make tea?C
5.Camels always --------- much water.
6.I'll be pleased if it ---------.
7.Look! My cat --------- up the tree.
8.Please hurry up! We --------- for you.
9.Lions always --------- meat.
10. We ---------oxygen to live.
11. He is a sailor. He --------- most of his time at sea.
12. I --------- very hard at the moment.
13. Listen! She ---------.
14. Why are you ---------?
15. She --------- a cake now.
 Simple Future
Will / shall + infinitive

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I Shall ('II) work. I Shall not (shan't) work. Shall I Work?

We We We
He He he
She she
Will ('II) work. She will not (won't) work. Will Work?
It it
They They they

This tense expresses actions that will happen in future.

It usually comes with the following words and expressions:
Tomorrow - The next day I week I month I year - Soon Shortly -In future -In a few days
• This tense expresses the following situations:

1. Offerings
I'll lend you some money. / Shall I carry this bag for you?
2. Promises
I'll phone you at three o'clock when I come back. / He won't reveal the secret.
3. Threats
We'll take actions against Iraq. / He will tell her father.
4. Agreement or Disagreement:
Of course, I'll bring your book back. / I won't stop playing soccer.
5. Requests
Will you close the window? / Will you give me a hand?
6. Decisions
It is raining heavily. I'll take a taxi. / She will call a taxi.
7. suggestions
Shall we cycle to the park? / I shall buy a present.
8. Conditional Sentences [with present tense]:
If he speaks fast, no one will understand him.
If it rains, I shall not go out.

Exercise
Put the verbs between brackets in the future tense:
1. When she phones me, I [tell] you.
2. I am tired now. I certainly [go] to bed.
3. He is sure he [pass] the driving test.
4. We [get] our salary tomorrow.
5. If he succeeds, his father [buy] him a surprise.
6. I think I [call] a taxi.
7. I [have] a cheese sandwich and a cup of tea, please.
8. What you [do] this afternoon?
9. He [come] after a couple of days.
 10. I [buy] you a bicycle if you are not naughty

Future: going to
Verb to be + going to + infinitive ~\
To express a prediction
- According to the weather forecast, it is going to rain.
- She is going to save money for her holiday.
Note: In this case [prediction] we can use [will]
To express only a prior plan and not a final decision:
- I am going to paint my room. [Its colour is fading.]
- He is going to buy a new car. [He is tired of using the old one.]

Exercise
Use [going to] to make future, tense:
1. They probably [watch] a film tonight.
2. They [tidy] the room.
3. I [meet] Tom at the library at six.
4. According to the weather report, it [be] cloudy.
5. We probably [study] together at my house
6. We [have] another party in the near future.
7. She [spend] her vacation abroad.
8. I am not enjoying my time. I [leave] the place.
9. I can't go to the party. I [do] my homework.
10. Watch out! You [fall] into the hole.
Future Continuous
Shall / Will + be + present participle [infinitive + ing]
 It expresses actions that will be in progress at a time in the future:
o I will be flying to London next month.
o This time next Friday I'll be lying on the beach in Wellington.
o We’ll be having lunch between one and two o'clock.
 It expresses future actions:
o I'll be helping my mother tomorrow.
o I’ll be playing tennis with Tom from five o'clock until six.
o He will be staying at Grand Hotel until Monday.
Exercise
Put the verbs in the future continuous:
1. I [wear] a black suit in the party.
2. My friend not [use] his car this evening.
3. What [do] in the evening when 1 come?
4. I [make] experiments in my small laboratory tonight.
5. She [wait] for him when he arrives.
6. I [fly] to Italy tomorrow.
7. Hurry up! The train [move] in a minute. -
8. This time next week, I [enjoy] myself on the beach.
9. She [study] her lessons when you come.
10. The cook [prepare] lunch at one o'clock.
11. Please, don't come at 7.30. I [do] my homework then.
12. This time next month, she [prepare] for her wedding u\!j.
13. They [pass] the old museum at midnight.
14. She [swim] at six o'clock in the morning.
15. We [have] tea beside the pool in the afternoon.

II. Choose:
1. Don't ring me at two. I [have - shall be having - having] lunch.
2. [Will you be using - Will use - Has used - Have used] your camera this afternoon?
3. She [passing - pass - will be passing - having passed] the hotel' on her way to school.
4. You can't come at seven. I [watch - watching - shall be watching - have watched] the
soccer match at the stadium.
5. What [you will do - do you do - you do - will you be doing] between five and six o'clock
tomorrow?
6. This time tomorrow I [shall be flying - flying - fly] to Rome.
7. I [wait - waiting - should wait - shall be waiting] for you when you come back.
8. He [will be working - work - working - would work] in the garden when you come in the
afternoon.
9. I [sit - sat - will be sitting] for the test this time next week.
10. I can't lend you my car. [I'll be using - I used - I using] it.
Future Perfect
Shall I will + have + past participle
Note: Future Perfect Continuous Tense is seldom used
1. Future perfect tense expresses actions that will be
completed by a certain future time
 This experiment will have ended in an hour's time.
 He will have spent all his money by the end of the
day.
2. In cases of uncertainty we can use may / might instead of will / shall.
 By next century, scientists may I might have invented flying cars.
 By the end of this year, Arabs may I might have united.

This tense is usually used with the following expressions:

In a day's time, this time tomorrow, by next week, by six I seven o'clock
In a week's time, this time next week, by next month, by then
In an hour’s time, in a month’s / year’s time, by Friday, by next year

Exercises
I- Put the verbs in the future perfect tense:
1. By the end of the year, he [move] to his new house.
2. The writer [complete] writing the story by next month.
3. By his next birthday, he [take] his examination.
4. By the end of this holiday, he [spend] all his money.
5. They [do] their work by then.
6. By next year, we [collect] much honey from our hive
7. Before the end of this year, the government [repair] this road.
8. By next month, they [get] married.
9. In a month's time, this disease [spread].
10. By the end of this year, the pilot [fly] a million miles.
11. By the end of the holiday, I [read] two novels.
12. By the end of the day, I hope Mohsen [remember] his promise.
13. The chess game [end] in nearly an hour.
14. I [graduate] by the time you come back.
15. By May 7th, they [be] married for two weeks.

II. Choose the correct answer:

1. By the end of this term I [shall read - shall have read – reading -read] two
plays by Shakespeare.
2. By the end of this year they [will have moved - will move - moving move] to
a new town.
3. Doctors [will discover - would discover - discovering - may have discovered]
new drugs by the end of this century.
4. I hope rain [has stopped - will stop - will have stopped - stopping] by then.
5. I hope the meeting will have finished [ago - since - by then - then].
6. [By - At - In - To] next Monday, you will have known the results of your
examination.
7. I expect my child [grows - growing - might have grown - grow] by the time I
return.
8. I [will sleep - would sleep - will have been sleeping - sleeping] for two hours by
the time my husband gets home.
9. I [will finish - finish - will have finished] the test by then.
10. By the end of the year the pilot [fly - flew - will have flown - flying] more than a
million miles.
Past Simple
The past simple tense often ends with d' or 'ed':
Love  loved – closeclosed open opened - walk walked
Many irregular verbs should be known by heart
Sleep slept – go went - write wrote - fly flew
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
He He did not [didn't] work. Did he work?
worked
He slept She did not [didn't] Did she sleep?
sleep]
This tense is used to express past events It is usually used with the following
words and expressions:
Ago, yesterday, last night, last week I last month, in the past - the
other day - once upon a time
Examples:
 He wore strange clothes at the party last night.
 It was very cold last month.
 I walked to school yesterday.
This tense also expresses habits that happened in the past.
 My son often won prizes.
 She always wore glasses.

Note:
• Unreal past is often used with the following expressions:
- Wish – as if - as though- if only - just now
Examples:
 I wish I were a famous artist.
 She wishes her son could come in time.
 We wish our mother wouldn't get sick.
 He behaves as if he were very rich.
 I felt a sudden pain just now.

Exercises
I. Correct the verbs:
1. The author [get] the Nobel Prize in literature.
2. I [buy] this car five years ago.
3. She once [work] in a restaurant.
4. Last year, she [spend] her holiday in Japan.
5. I was asleep when you [arrive].
6. I wish I [be] an astronaut
7. It is high time he [revise] his lessons.
8. Curie [discover] uranium.
II. Choose the correct word:
1. Egypt [wins - winning - won] the African soccer cup in 2006.
2. It [rain - rains - rained - raining] heavily two hours ago.
3. We [receive - received - will receive - receiving] his invitation last week.
4. If only I [feel- feeling - had felt - felt] better now.
5. If only she [came - had come - will come - coming] to the party
yesterday.
6. Why did you [lose -lost -losing - had lost] your dictionary?
7. Where [did you go - you did go - you went - you go] last night?
8. William Shakespeare [writes - will write - would write - wrote] many plays.
9. I was very hungry. I [eat - ate - eating - am eating] all the food very quickly.
10. It was very cold, so she [put - putting - puts - will put] on her heavy coat.
11. We played tennis yesterday, but I [do not - did not - haven't -
hadn't] win the match.
12. We [meet - met - will meet] Linda at the market yesterday.
13. It was a good joke ~, but nobody [laugh -laughs -laughed].
14. I [lend -lent - will lend -lending] my bicycle to him yesterday.
15. Columbus [discovers - discovered - will discover] America.
Past Continuous
Form
Verb to be [was I were] + .infinitive + ing
Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I I I
He was working. He was not working. Was He working?
She She She
It It It
We We We
You Were working. You Were not working. Were You working?
they they they

1. This tense expresses actions that continued for some time in the past:
- She was playing chess all night.
2. It expresses events that were going on gradually in the past:
- It was getting darker little by little.
3. This tense is used together with the past simple to say that something
happened during something else:
- While mum was having a bath, little Basma cried for help.
- When Medo entered the room, Shady was watching TV.
4. It expresses two actions that continued in the past at the same time:
- I was working while rain was falling down
- As I was diving, my trainer was watching me

5. This tense is usually used with the following words:

While - when - as - just as

6. If the verb ends with the letter 'e', drop it and add 'ing':
• Write - writing
• give – giving
• drive - driving
Exercise
1. Samia [dance], but she stopped when she saw me.

2. The phone rang when I [have] my lunch.

3. She had an accident while [drive] her car.
4. What you [do] at ten o'clock last night?
5. Suzan burned her hand when she [cook] lunch.
6. While [swim] in the pond, the dolphin screamed loudly.
7. It [get] colder little by little.
8. She waved at him, but he not [look] at her.
9. Just as we [leave] the meeting, we heard a loud cry.
10. She [wait] for me when I arrived.
11. They [work] in the office when they heard the news.
12. Soroor [get] better as he practiced well.
13. The television was on, but we not [watch] it
14. The phone rang while I [take] a shower.

Present Perfect
Have I has + past participle

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

He
He he
Has not [hasn't]
She has ('s) worked. She Has she Worked?
worked.
It it
It

I
I I
We have('ve) worked We Have not [haven't] Have we worked?
You worked. you
You They they
They
• This tense expresses actions that were completed a short time ago
Samia has just arrived
• This tense is usually used for news, reports, letters, and dialogues:
o Fire has broken out in the market. News
o The Arab leaders have met in Cairo. Reports
o Grandpa, I have missed you very much. Letters
o Don't you know that our team has won? Dialogues
• This tense expresses past events that are still alive in memory:
I have lived in Auckland for years.
• This tense expresses past events that have recent results:
He has washed his car. (This means that he has recently washed his car
and the car looks clean now.)
• This tense usually comes with the following words:
For / since - ever since - lately- recently - already - up till now - just -
ever - never - so far
Examples
1. I haven't gone to the zoo for a couple of years.
2. Samia has not taken a vacation since last August.
3. Long sea trips round Africa have stopped ever since.
4. Lately, people have faced difficulties due to lack of rain.
5. The old lady has recently inherited a big fortune
6. No one was allowed in as the show has already started.
7.I haven't done my duty yet. 'yet' comes in negative forms
8. Has Ahmed telephoned yet? 'yet' comes in questions
9. Up till now, I have not seen such a nice view.
10. The rain stopped and the rainbow has just appeared.
11. It is the best holiday I have ever had.  'ever' comes in the affirmative
12. Have you ever seen a TV star? 'ever' comes in the question form
13. I have never driven a car before. 'never' comes in the negative form
14. They have completed farming half the land so far.

Sometimes this tense comes with the following joining words:

after - before - as soon as - when - the moment

Examples
• The business has improved after the new boss took over.
• She has finished her housework before her friends came.
• They will travel abroad 'as soon as they have got married.
• I will call you when I have written this report.
• She will leave the moment she has done her make up.

• Notice the differencein meaning between the following sentences:

Ibrahim has gone to Rome. [This means that Ibrahim is in
Rome or on her way to Rome now.]
Abdallah has been to Rome. [This means that Abdallah was
in Rome for sometime, but he returned.
Exercises

I. Put the verbs between brackets in the present perfect:

1. Where is your passport? 'I think I [lose] it'.
2. I can't remember your name. 'Sorry, I [forget] it'.
3. They went to hospital yesterday and they [be] there since.
4. She not [write] to me since she travelled to USA.
5. Many changes [take] place since I last wrote to you.
6. He already [give] up smoking.
7. I not [eat] anything since this morning.
8. You are too late. The plane already [take] off.
9. 'Is Aalia here?' No, she [go] out.
10. It [be] very hot lately.

II. Choose the correct answer:

1. I [hadn't - haven't - didn't - don't] painted the room yet.
2. He [has just had - just has had - have just had] his lunch.
3. [Heard - You have heard, - Have you heard] from her recently?
4. I have [ever - never - so far - yet] met such a tall man.
5. He is on holiday. He [goes - have gone - has gone] to Alex.
6. Up till now, she [hasn't - didn't - doesn't] finished her work.
7. The train has already [left -leave -leaving] the station.
8. Has he lost the key? No, he [finds - find - has found] it.
9. I [don't - didn't - haven't - hadn't] seen her yet.
10. I [have already laid - have laid already - already have laid] the table.
 Present Perfect Continuous
have I has + been + infinitive + ing

• This tense expresses an action that began in the past and is still going
on or has just finished at the time of speaking [ similar to the present
perfect tense]

- Sally has been waiting for the train for two hours.
This sentence means that Sally was waiting for the train for two hours
and she is still waiting or that she left the place a short time ago.

• This tense is usually used with the following words:

Since - for - all day - all morning - all night

Exercises

Change the verbs into present perfect continuous:

1. Jamal [do] his homework since eight o'clock.
2. It [rain] heavily for a long time.
3. She [wear] that old dress for two months.
4. You [be] typing for the last half an hour.
5. She [sit] in the sun for three hours. This will bum her skin.
6. I [talk] to the headmaster about the problem.
7. We [learn] English for more than six years.
8. You [watch] TV all day. This is harmful to your eyes.
9. I [work] hard all night. I am very tired now.
10. He [smoke] too much recently. This will damage his health.

Since and For

• 'Since' expresses a certain point of time in the past until now .
Since: Friday, Saturday, Monday -- 6 o'clock, 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock -- 1980,
1981 ,2003,2005. -- breakfast, lunch, dinner -- last holiday, last summer,
last winter .--May, June, July, August. – Ramadan, Eid.
Since: he was a child, they were graduated.

Examples
- She has been on holiday since July. This means that she has been
on holiday from July until now
 - The child has been sleeping since 6 0' clock. This means that the
child has been sleeping from six o'clock until now.

• The verb that comes before 'since' is put in the present perfect:
• The verb that comes after 'since' is put in the past simple:
We have been friends since we left school
He has not met his friend since he moved to the new house.

• Notice the difference between the following sentences:

Islam lived in Rome for two years. ‘He is not living there any more.'
. ~
Hossam has lived in Rome for two years. 'It is probable that he is still living there.'

• For' expresses a length of time that has continued up till now.

For an hour, two hours, three hours, a day, two days, three days, a week,
two weeks, three weeks, a month , two months, three months, a long time,
years, ages, the last holiday so long

Examples
- I haven't eaten in a restaurant for a long time.
_ Salem has been working in this office for two years .

• 'For' is used sometimes to express past actions

• My family lived in Luxor for five years.
• I did not go to the city for months.

Exercises
I. Put 'since' or 'for' in the spaces:
1. No plants have grown ... Si.nce last winter.
2. He has been washing the car so long.
3. The wolf has been ·howling midnight.
4. I have been waiting half an hour.
5. She has forgotten everything she lost her memory.
6. They have been engaged four years.
7. I haven't gone to school last Sunday.
8. He has been doing the same work over ten years.
9. Animals have lived in jungles ages.
10...................................................The sun has not shown the last few
days.
11..........................................I have known her years.
12.......................................................She stayed at Rose Hotel a few days.
13.................................................Lily has been in Italy the last few months.
14..........................................He has been here last Friday.
15............................................It has been raining the morning.

II. Choose the correct answer:

1. Hasn't she finished her work [ago - since - for - yet]?
2. He has been using the computer [since - for - yet] two hours.
3. I caught this cold two days [ago - yet - for - since].
4. I haven't had a holiday [since - for - ago - yet] two years.
5. [For - Since - Lately] Easter, the weather has been very cold.
6. It's been three years [for - since - ago - recently] I last saw Bill.
7. We haven't been to the Opera House [since - for -lately].
8. I have been playing tennis [since - ago - for - yet] a few years.
9. She has been crying [for - yet - since -lately] the morning.
10. They have known each other [since - recently - for] ages.
11. Jim [has found - did not find - has not found] his wallet yet.
12. [For - Since - Recently] he was sixteen, he has been driving.
13. She [has been talking - is talking - talked] for a few hours.
14. He [teach - has been teaching - teaches] English for ten years.
15. I [have had - have been - having had] a headache all morning.
16. We have had this house [for - since - ago - yet] 1970.
17. She has [since - ago -
yet - just] left the party.
18. I have [just - recently - already - yet] done my best.
19. Have you [never - ever - since - yet] seen a penguin?
20. I've known her [since - ever since - just - for] a long time.
Past Perfect

• This tense expresses an action that had finished before

another action

After I had finished my work [the first action], I went to bed. [The

second action]

When I entered the cinema [the second action], the film had
already started. [The first action]
• This tense is usually used with the following words:
after - before - till- until- when - as soon as - [hardly ... when]
[scarcely ... when] - [no sooner ... than] - by the time

• The gerund [infinitive + ing] is used in the absence of a

subject: -
_ before going out, Mona had taken permission from her mother.
[no subject following before]

- This tense is used with the word 'until' in the negative:

- I didn't go to the club until I had finished my homework.

- She didn't travel to England until she had learned English.

Note: what is the difference between the following sentences?

- When the policeman arrived, the thief ran away.

- When the policeman arrived, the thief had run away
The 1st sentence means: The thief ran away when the policeman
arrived.
The 2nd sentence means: The thief had run before the policeman
arrived.

Exercise

Correct the verbs:

1. After the guests [leave] the party, I [feel] lonely.
2. I [hurry] to see him after [hear] the news.
3. She didn't go the party until her father [give] her permission.
4. She [thank] me for what I [do] to her.
5. He [post] the letter immediately after he [write] it.
6. The sun [rise] before I [be] ready to pray
7. After it [rain] heavily, many houses were destroyed.
8. The man sitting beside me in the plane was very nervous because he not [fly]
before.
9. I discovered that someone [break] into my house last night.
10. After I [see] him, I was sure we [meet] before.
11. He [master] the skills of computer before [apply] for the job.
12. I felt better as soon as I [take] the medicine.
13. When she [get] her passport back, she [feel] happy.
14. He confessed that he [murder] the old man to steal his money.
15. No sooner had the film started than she [fall] asleep.
16. We fastened the seat belts before the plane [take] off.
17. By the time we arrived, the train [leave] the station.
18. The house was very quiet. All the family [go] to sleep.
19. Scarcely he [get] up, when the telephone rang.
20. She [lose] her salary immediately after she [get] it.
21. When they arrived home, little Sara [go] to bed.
22. Thunder [roar] and then rain fell down.
23. After [fish] for a long time, he [feel] very tired.
24. After [study] medicine, I'll be a doctor.
25. Before [go] to sleep he had switched off the lights.
 Past Perfect Continuous
had + been + infinitive + ing
• This tense expresses frequent actions that continued in the past:
_ She had been trying to ring her mother, but no one answered.

_ The streets are wet. It had been raining all night.

• This tense expresses a continuous action in the past that happened before another

action:

_ They had been waiting for half an hour when the bus came.
_ Their clothes were tom. Surely, they had been quarrelling.

Exercise

Put the verbs in the past perfect continuous:

1. We felt very tired because we [work] very hard.

2. Rana [learn] how to drive a car before getting the job.
3. She was out of breath because she [run] for two hours.
4. Her skin was tan. She [bask] in the sun for a long time.
5. Little Lu could not follow her brother. He [walk] very fast. )

6. Mr. Hani [smoke] for ten years when he finally gave it up.
7. She [try] to solve the problem, but she couldn't.
8. There was much noise in the class. The boys [quarrel].
9. We [play] for an hour when it began to rain.
10. When I entered the room, Linda [look] for her missing 'cat.
Sequence of Tenses
• It is not necessary that the verbs in one sentence should be in the same
tense:
I am [present] sure he did [past] his homework yesterday. He is [present]
certain that he will travel [future] tomorrow. I said [past] that he was not
coming [past continuous].
He said [past] to his pupils that the earth is [present] round. Life in the past was
[past] not as easy as it is [present] today. Tom who always shouts [present] was
[past] absent yesterday.
Verb to be
Present Past Future

I am was will [shall] be

He, She, It is was will be

We are were will [shall] be
You, They are were will be

Future Perfect Past Perfect Present Perfect

will [shall] have been had been I, we have been

will have been had been he , she , it has been

will have been had been you , they have been

Verb to do

Present Past Future

I, We, do did will [shall] do
You , They do did will do
He. She, It does did will do
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect
I, We have done had done will [shall] have
You , They have done had done done
will have done
He. She, It. has done had done will have done

Present Past Future

I, We have had will [shall] have
You. They have had will have
He • She , It has had will have
Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect

I, We have had had had will [shall] have had

You. They have had had had will have had
He • She , It has had had had will have had
Verb to have
 General Exercises on Tenses

1- Correct the verbs between brackets: Some verbs are right.

1. It sometimes [snows] in Sinai,

2. Nurses always [look] after patients.
3. I not [drink] coffee very often,
4. What you [mean] by saying this?
5. She [set] a new record in mountaineering.
6. I [promise] I’ll come in time.
7. He [get] up early every day,
8. How often you [play] the piano?
9. The water [boil]. 'Would you rum off the gas?
10. We can go out now. It not [rain] any more.
11. It not usually [rain] in summer.
12. An early bird [catch] the worm.
13. You will hurt your eyes. You always [watch] television.
14. This child is never satisfied. He always [complain].
15. Don't fight with each other. I [work] now.
16. Here [be] our nearest post office.
17. The news [be] not encouraging.
18. The player not [get] any medal yet
19. We [feed] the horses twice a day.
20. I [do] my work now.
21. 'I [go] to sleep now. Good night"
22. We [have] a wonderful time last night
23. What were you [do] at six o'clock last evening?
24. It [have] not stopped raining yet.
25. The train usually [leave] Cairo Station at 6.30 and [arrive] at
26. Alex. at 8 o'clock
27. Be careful. You [go] to fall down.
28. I expect the test [be] easy.
29. He [collect] coins since he was a kid and he is still doing it.
30. The new minister was invited to [join] our club.
31. A dairy [be] a place where milk products [be] sold
32. The book [have] a page missing.
33. Tomorrow, we [hunt] birds in the desert.
34. She [do] her best to win the race but she couldn't.
35. Business is [do] well.
Key:

1. correct 2. correct 3- do not drink 4. do you mean

5. correct 6. correct 7- gets 8. do you play 9. is

boiling 10. is not raining 11. does not usually rain 12. catches 13. are

always watching

14. is always complaining 15. am working 16. is

17. is 18. has not got 19. correct 20. am doing 21. am

going 22. had 23. did not enjoy 24.

doing 25. has 26. leaves I arrives.

27. are going 28.. will be easy 29. has been collecting

30. correct 31. is - are 32. has 33. will hunt

34. was doing /did 35. doing

II- Correct the verbs between brackets: Some verbs are right.
1. I am very thirsty. I [want] something to drink ... want..
2. Do you [smell] gas in the kitchen?
3. They invited us to the party, but we [apologize].
4. Tarek Al Hakeem [write] many good plays.
5. I not [enjoy] the film last night.
6. I [see] her at Cairo Mall two days ago.
7. It was very hot, so I [open] all the windows.
8. The teacher was angry because Gigi not [do] her homework.
9. This time last winter I [live] in Germany.
.'
10. I [walk] to school when it rained heavily.
11. All my friends [wait] for me when I came.
12. What you [do] last night at 10 0' clock?
13. She burnt her fingers while she [prepare] lunch.
14. It is high time we [leave] the cafe.
15. N. Mahfouz [be] awarded the Nobel Prize in literature.
16. His health [get] better little by little while he was in hospital.
17. If only she [accept] my invitation.
18. If only she [revise] her lessons the previous week.
19. She walks proudly as if she [be] a peacock
20. Egypt [win] the African soccer cup in 2006.
 Key:

1. correct 2. correct 3. apologized 4. wrote

5. did not enjoy 6. saw 7. opened 8. did not do
9. was living 10. was walking 11. were waiting 12.
were you doing
13. was preparing 14. left 15. was 16. was getting

17. accepted 18. had revised 19. were 20. won

III- Correct the verbs: Some verbs re right. .
1. If you come late, you [be] sorry.
2. I have left the lights on. I [shall go] and turn them off.
3. He [dig] the ground since the morning and he is still doing it.
4. I don't think the coming driving test [be] very hard.
5. This time next week I [be] on my way to London.
6. I’m glad to tell you that I recently [receive] your reply.
7. We [wait] for an hour and we are still waiting.
8. After Inas [hear] the bad news, she fainted.
9. Up till now, he [has not received] any prizes.
10. My sister stirred the mixture while I [add] water.
11. He [cut] the grass since the morning. He must be tired.
12. It [be] very cold lately.
13. I went to my uncle's house, but unfortunately he [go] out.
14. Last April [mark] the end of his pilot training.
15. I was very tired when I came back. I [work] hard all day.
16. My sister could not play with her toys until she [do] her homework.
17. I feel thirsty. I think I [have] something to drink.
18. She couldn't go to the pool until she [take] permission.
19. He hardly [open] the door when he heard a loud explosion.
20. After [get] the medicine, my little sister felt better.

Key 2. correct 3. has been digging 4. will be

6. have recently received 7. have been waiting 8. had heard

10. was adding 11. has been cutting 12. has been
14. marked 15. had been working 16. had done
18. had taken 19. had hardly opened 20. getting
 IV- Choose the correct answer:
1. I never [drinks - drink - drinking - have drunk] wine.
2. Careless driving often [caused - cause - causes] accidents.
3. Why is your shirt tom? I'm sure you [are fighting - have been
fighting - fought - fight] with your classmates.
4. Water [boil - boiling - boils - boiled] when heated.
5. [Do - Are - Having - Had] you see that bridge over there?
6. Why did the police [stop - stopped - stopping] you last night?
7. I saw you at the market yesterday. You [are shopping - will be
shopping - were shopping - was shopping].
8. He [start - will start - starting - started] playing the piano at the
age of four.
9. Oh! I [had cut - cutting - cut - have cut] my finger.
10. She [hasn't - hadn't - haven't] worked hard this semester.
11. The cars of tomorrow [use - will use - used] a different fuel.
12. I am very tired. I [want - am wanting -wanted] to sleep.
13. We [fastened - have fastened - had fastened - fasten] our seat belts before
the plane took off.
14. The play [begins - begin - beginning - began] 1 minute ago.
15. I [had been trying - trying - has been trying - try] to ring my
sister, but no one answered.

Key: 1. drink 2. causes 3. have been fighting 4. boils

5. Do 6. stop 7. were shopping 8. started

9. have cut 10. hasn't 11. will use 12. want
13. had fastened 14. began 15. had been trying
Negation

Affirmative sentences are made negative by:

1. Adding 'not' after the helping verb:

Examples:

- He is clever. He is not [isn't] clever.

- They are healthy They are not [aren't] healthy.

- We were running We were not [weren't] running.
- She was studying She was not [wasn't] studying.
- He can come. He can not [can't] come.
- She had travelled. She had not [hadn't] travelled
- They could skate. They could not [couldn't] skate.
- I should stay. I should not [shouldn't] stay.

2. Using does not or do not with verb in the present simple tense:

Examples:
- He plays well. He does not [doesn't] play well.
- The plane lands. The plane does not [doesn't] land.
- They work. They do not [don't] work.
- I swim. I do not [don't] swim.

3. Using did not with verbs in the past simple tense:

Examples:
- It rain It did not [didn't] rain.
- She cried She did not [didn't] cry.

4. Changing the word 'some' into the word 'no' or 'any':

Example
_ He gave me some money. He gave me no money.
or He did not give me any money.
• 'No' is used with verbs in the affirmative.
• ‘‘Any' is used with verbs in the negative.

4. Changing the word 'every' into 'no' or 'not every':

Example
Everybody laughed. Nobody or [Not everybody] laughed.
Everybody is present. Nobody or [Not everybody] is present.
5. Changing the word 'All' at the beginning of the sentence into 'Not all' or 'None':
All cities are nice. Not all cities [none of the cities] are nice .

6. Changing 'both….. and' & 'either ... or' into 'neither .. nor':

Both the stars and the moon are shining.

Neither the stars nor the moon is shining.

I am sure this car is either black or blue.

I am sure this car is neither black nor blue.
7. ‘never’ replaces the following words in the negative:
- usually - generally - often - someday - sometimes
- He will always learn. He will never learn. or Never will he learn.
- She usually drinks iced tea. She never drinks iced tea.
or Never does she drink iced tea.

1. Changing ‘so do I’ into ‘neither do I’:

Note: [You should change the first verb in the sentence into negative]:

• She plays tennis, and so do I She does not play tennis, and neither do I.

2. Changing the word 'and' into 'or' if it joins the same subject:

Hossam played chess and listened to Quran.

Hossam did not play chess or listen to Quran.

3. Don’t change the word 'and' if it joins two different subjects:

Norah milked the cow and her sister sold it. [2 different subjects]

Norah didn’t milk the cow and her sister did not sell it.

4. Use ‘not’ before 'to' with the following expressions: used to

ought to - dare to - need to

I used to smoke I used not to smoke. or I did not use to smoke.

5. 'also - too - as well' at the end of the sentence are changed into 'either':
Don't forget to change the verb into negative
She owns a farm too. She does not own a farm either.
He can swim as well. He cannot swim either.
 6. Change 'as ... as' into 'so ... as' or 'as ... as':
Don't forget to change the verb into negative
Ali is as clever as Noha. Ali is not so clever as Noha.
or Ali is not as clever as Noha.

7. The words 'just' - 'recently' - 'already' are changed into 'yet':

Don't forget to change the verb into negative
He has just arrived. He has not arrived yet.
I have already done my job. I have not done my job yet.

8. Verbs in the imperative form are preceded by don't:

Go to work. Don't go to work.
Leave the room. Don't leave the room.
Stop it. Don't stop it.

9. 'must' in the case of obligation is changed into: needn't - mustn't - shouldn't - don't
have to

- You needn't come early.

You must come early. - You mustn't come early.
- You shouldn't come early.
- You don't have to come early.

10. ‘must have’ in the deduction case is changed into "can not have':
She must have left early. She can't have left early.
He must have travelled. He can't have travelled.
11. ‘a lot’ & ‘a lot of ', 'a great deal' & 'a great deal of ' are changed .into 'much':
Don’t forget to change the verb into negative
He did a great deal of work. He didn't do much work.
He smokes a lot. He doesn't smoke much.

12. "a great many' is changed into 'many':

Don’t forget to change the verb into negative
I collect a great many coins. I do not collect many coins.

13. Negative questions are used sometimes to show surprise:

Don’t you hear me calling? I called you many times.

Didn’t I say this before?
Can’t you hear me?

14. Negative questions are used when we expect the listener to agree with
 what we say
Haven’t I told you that before?
Haven't I seen you before?
Isn’t it an exciting match?
Note:
15. Only one word in the negative is needed to make a sentence a negative. A
double negative is wrong:
The lion could not go nowhere after being trapped. Wrong The lion
could not go anywhere after being trapped. Right

General Exercises on Negation With Answer Key

1- Change the sentences into negative:
1. You went to Mustafa's house yesterday.
2. I offered him something to drink.
3. The horse race started.
4. I come from England.
5. He drinks iced tea very often.
6. It snows in some countries.
7. It is a cold night.
8. I promise to give you a ring.
9. I call find it.
10. The birds could go anywhere.
11. I have been playing hockey for a long time.
. .
12. Some children like funny stories.
13. She may give him a reward.
14. Open the window, please.
15. He owns that house also. 1. did not go 10. The birds could not
2. did not offer go anywhere or The
3. did not start birds could go
4. do not come nowhere
5. does not drink 11. have not been
6. does not snow 12. do not like
7. is not 13. may not give
8. do not promise 14. Don't open .
9. can not find 15. doesn't own ... either

How to make a question

 • We form a question by putting the helping verb before the subject:

- Birds are lovely. Are birds lovely?

- He had seen it. Had he seen it?
- He can cycle. Can he cycle?

1. A verb in the present simple tense needs the words 'does' or 'do' in the
question form:
.
- He lives in Cairo. Does he live in Cairo?
- She watches TV. Does she watch TV?
- The baby cries. Does the baby cry?

Note: Don't forget to drop the letter 'S' in the question form.

- The policemen work hard. Do the policemen work hard?

- They come late. Do they come late?
- The stars shine. Do the stars shine?

2. A verb in the past simple tense needs 'did' in the question form:

- He went to the club. Did he go to the club?

- She enjoyed the view. Did she enjoy the view?
- They won the game. Did they win the game?

Note: Don't forget to use the Infinitive in the question form.

WHO:
The Egyptian boxer won the match. Who won the match?
WHO / WHOM
I met Hind yesterday. Who [whom ] did you meet yesterday?
• We can put a preposition before the question word or after the verb:
I’m writing a letter to my friend.
To whom are you writing a letter? [Before the question word]
Whom are you writing a letter to? [After the verb]
WHOSE:
This place is mine. Whose place is this?

WHAT: Bees give us honey.

What gives us honey?
Jane collected stamps. What did Jane collect?
Which:
• Salwa raised her voice in the classroom.
• Which girl raised her voice in the classroom?
• I prefer tea. Which do you prefer; tea or coffee?

Where:
He hid the rabbit inside the hat. Where did he hide the rabbit?

When:
She heard the explosion last night. When did she hear the explosion?

Why:
• People eat to live. Why do people eat?
• Fadi went to bed because he was tired. Why did Fadi go to bed?

Questions with How

How
I'm fine, thank you. How are you?
I go to school on my bicycle. How do you go to school?

How many
There are 6 books on the shelf.
How many books are there on the shelf?

How much
- This computer costs 900 pounds.
How much does this computer cost? or What is the price of this computer?
There is 3 liter of oil in this can. How much oil is there in this can?

How long

The canal is 10 miles long. How long is the canal?

I lived twelve years in NZ.

How long did you live in NZ?

How far
The distance to Alex is nearly 200 km. How far is the distance to Alex?

How high
This mountain is 5000feet high. How high is this mountain? -
or What height is this mountain?

How tall
Bassam is 5 foot tall. How tall is Bassam?
The tree is 10 meters tall. How tall is the tree?
How deep
This river is sixty feet deep. How deep is the river?

How wide
The bedroom is three metres wide. or What is the width of the bedroom?

How heavy

That box weighs 40 kilos. How heavy does that box weigh?

How fast
This car runs at 130 Km/hr. How fast does this car run?

How often
Hind fills her car with petrol once a week. How often does she fill her car with petrol?

How old
I am eighteen years old. How old are you?
General Exercises on Questions
Form questions to which the underlined words are the answers:
1. Ahmad is the captain of the team.
2. Yes, most birds can fly.
3. No, she can't drive a car.
4. He wrote novels about magic.
5. I went to the beach yesterday.
6. She jumped into the water.
7. A large crocodile attacked the hunter.
8. Tawfeek Al Hakeem wrote many plays.
9. He signed his name or the report.
10. I am fifty years old.
11. I want to read this first.
12. She often plays the piano on Fridays.
13. We go to school to learn.
14. They spent their honeymoon in London.
15. I will go to the museum tomorrow.

Key: Who is the captain of the team? 2 - Can most birds fly? 3- Can she drive a car?
4 - What did he write? 5- Where did you go yesterday? 6 - What did she do?
7 - What attacked the hunter? 8 - Who wrote many plays? 9- What did he sign on the
report? 10- How old are you? 11- What do you want to do? 12- When does she often
play....?13- Why do we go to school? 14- Where did they spend their...
15. Where will you go tomorrow?
 General Exercises on Questions
Form questions to which the underlined words are the answer:
1. That box weighs two tons.
2. The hall is sixteen yards wide.
3. It takes three hours to go to the beach.
4. I think bowling is a nice game.
5. The doctor advised me to get some rest.
6. No, thank you. I'd like coffee.
7. My car is over there.
8. I left the cinema as the film was boring.
9. Snakes move quietly.
10. Faridah is more beautiful than Noha.
11. This farm is my uncle's.
12. The flat costs 170,000 pounds.
13. It was her fault.
14. Yes, I do.
15. I go to school on foot.
16. The sky is blue.
17. She wanted to become a journalist.
18. The policeman arrested the thief.
19. I want to sit beside you near the fireplace.
20. The clown made us laugh.
21. The bus will depart in fifteen minutes.
22. She always tells lies.
23. This is my father's car.
24. The other photos are in the drawer.
25. No, I didn't.
 Question Tags
• A question tag is a mini question. It is put at the end of a sentence .
• A positive sentence is followed by a negative question tag:
It is a lovely night, isn't it?
John was an officer in the army, wasn't he?
You have enjoyed your time, haven't you?
• A negative sentence is followed by a positive question tag:
She didn't see the film, did she?
The hunter couldn't catch the fox, could he?
You haven't got a visa to enter the country, have you?

• If the main verb in the sentence is in the, positive present

simple tense, we use: doesn't .... ? or don't .... ?:
Mustafa plays chess well, doesn't he?
You need a hammer, don't you?
Little Basma always cries, doesn't she?

• If the main verb in the sentence is in the negative present simple tense, we use:
does ….? or do….?:
It doesn't usually rain here, does it?
Mustafa always takes care of his health, doesn't he? Lions don't eat
grass, do they?

• If the main verb in the sentence is in the positive past simple tense, we use: didn’t..... ?:
You followed my advice, didn't you?
Hind lost her visa card, didn't she?
• If the main verb in the sentence is in the negative past simple tense, we use: did..... ?:.
Ahmad didn't go out tonight, did he?
Lamia didn't comb her hair, did she?

• Auxiliary verbs such as: [have, has, had, is, are, was, were, will, would, shall, should ...
etc] are repeated in question tags:
You haven't met Nora before, have you?
He hasn't finished his work, has he?
Jack will be late, won't he?
I should have kept my temper, shouldn't I?

• In imperative sentences the tag is: will you I won't you?

Stop talking, will you? [Won’t you?]
Don't forget to post the letter, will you? [Won’t you?]
• There are some irregular cases such as:
I'm late, aren't I?
 Let us go, will you? Giving permission
Let us go, shall we? or [shan't we?] 'suggesting something

• Words that express the negative need tags in the affirmative no - nothing - never -
scarcely - hardly - rarely ... etc.
No smoking is allowed, is it?
Soha never drinks coffee, does she?
• In the following expressions the pronoun 'they' is used: no one - anyone -
nobody - anybody - neither
No one would come, would they?
Neither of them smiled, did they?
• Don't forget that ['s = is or has] & ['d = had or would]:
Lily's left [has left] early, hasn't she? Lily's [is] a clever lady,
isn't she?
He'd passed [had passed] the test, hadn't he? He'd enjoy [would] his
time, wouldn't he?

A question tag should be preceded by a comma [,] and the subject should be a pronoun
and not a noun
Hind has already watered the garden, hasn't she?
The sun is shining, isn't it?

Note: The meaning of a question tag depends on the intonation of your voice going
up or down. It may mean asking for information [voice going up] or for a thing [voice
going up] or asking someone to do something [voice going up] or expecting the listener
to agree with you [voice going down]:

- You don't know where he is hiding, do you? asking for information

- You haven't got a mobile, have you? asking for a thing
- You can't help me, can you? asking someone to do something
- It is freezing today, isn't it? expecting the listener to agree with you

Exercises with Answer Key

1- Add a question tag:
1...............................My little daughter likes swimming,
........................................................... ?
2..............................The headmaster will be here soon,
........................................................... ?
3..................................You wouldn't reveal the secret, ..
........................................................?
4...................................She won't mind if I come late,
........................................................... ?
5...................................They have left the party early, ?
6....................................Hakam should pass the test, ?
7............................You are not interested .in what I say, ?
8. You couldn't do me a favour,
.?
9. You didn't switch off the lights,
............... ?
10...........................Don't do this again or I'll punish you ?
11.............................................................Ibrahim won't mind if we visit him today,
...........................................................?
12.............................................................She'd never seen him before,
........................................................... ?
13.............................................................This picture is very beautiful,
........................................................... ?
14.............................................................Let's go for a drive, ?
15.............................................................Some people don't like dogs,
.......................................................... ?
16.............................................................Hesham hasn't closed the door,
..........................................................?
17............................................................He's left the keys on the desk, ?
Key:
1. doesn't she 2. won't he 3. would you 4. will she 5. haven't they 6. shouldn't she
7. are you 8. could you 9. did you 1 0. will / won't you 11. will he 12. had she 13. isn't it
14. shall we / shan't we 15. do they 16. has she 17. hasn't he

2- Add a question tag:

1......................................................................... Shady never drank iced coffee, ?
2............................................... Mr Arnold used to live here, ?
3......................................... He promised to visit me tomorrow, ?
4........................................... We had better do our work early, ?
5........................................ Crocodiles scarcely live on dry land, ?
6....................................... The poor woman could hardly move, ?
7........................................ This strong boxer is never defeated, ?
8....................................................................... He'd rather leave the place, ?
9............................................ No one can solve this problem, ?
10.............................................. The team's won the match, ?

3- Choose the correct tag:

1. Dalia is watching TV, [is she - isn't she]?
2. This book contains model answers, [doesn't it - don't it]?
3. I think the prices are very cheap, [aren't I - aren't they]?
4. You had your hair cut, [didn't you - bad you]?
5. You have found your lost keys, [have you - haven't you]?
6. Don't spill the juice on the carpet, [will you - do you]?
 7. I'm too nervous, [aren't I - do I]?
8. Noha has a lovely voice, [hasn't Noha - hasn't she]?
9. This blouse doesn't look nice, [doesn't it - does it]?
10. Let us go for a swim, [will you - shall we]?
11. Nothing was really said, [was it - wasn 't it]?
12. Neither of -them came early, [did they - didn't they]?
13. Lu promised to write to me, [didn't she - did she]?
14. The weather is nice, [is it - isn't it]?
15. She is a cute child, [isn't she - is she]?
The Passive Voice
• When the subject does the action, we put the verb in the active:
• Edison [subject] invented the electric lamp [object].
• Cats [subject] like milk [object].
• Mary Curie [subject] discovered uranium [object].

• When the object receives the action, we put the verb in the passive
The electric lamp [object] was invented by Edison. [subject].
Milk [object] is liked by cats [subject].
Uranium [object] was discovered by Mary Curie [subject].

• To change the statement from active into passive apply the following steps:
o Put the object 'in the subject's place.
o Put the subject in the object's place preceded by the word 'by' or without it.
[When the subject is unknown or unimportant].
o We change the verb into passive by using the right tense of [verb 'to be'] +
past participle of the original verb:

Active Passive

- He writes a letter. A letter is written.

- He wrote a letter. A letter was written.
- He will write a letter. A letter will be written.
- He is writing a letter. A letter is being written.
- He was writing a letter. A letter was being written.
- He has written a letter. A letter has been written.
- He had written a letter. A letter had been written.
- He will have written a letter. A letter will have been written.
- He can write a letter. A letter can be written.

• In the case of [have to, has to, had to] we add 'be' + past participle
- He has to revise his lessons well. Active
- His lessons have to be revised well. Passive
Note: 'has' is changed into 'have' because the subject is changed from singular into
plural

• Present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous are treated as present
perfect or past perfect or future perfect:

She has been revising her lessons. present perfect continuous

Her lessons have been revised. present perfect

• In the negative, drop 'do not', 'does not', 'did not' and replace them with verb 'to be' in
the negative form using the same tense:

Sami does not read French books. Active

French books are not read by Sami. Passive

• We drop the word 'by' at the end of the sentence if it doesn't add anything to the
meaning or if we don't know who is the doer

- Somebody built the house.' Active

- The house was built. Passive

8. If the sentence has two objects, we use either of them to begin with:
- My uncle gave me a gift. Active
- I was given a gift. or A gift was given to me. Passive

9. Changing certain verbs such as [think, say, believe, report, know]

into passive should be as the following:
- People say that he is clever. Active
- It is said that he is clever. or He is said to be clever. Passive

• Sentences in the imperative form need 'let' at the beginning:

- Clean the room. Active
- Let the room be cleaned. Passive

To change questions into passive we apply the following steps:

1- Change the question form into affirmative.

2- Change the affirmative form into passive.

3- Put the verb before the subject to form a question again.

- Did he see the film? Active

He saw the film. The film was seen by him.
- Was the film seen by him? Passive

- Can she hunt this deer? She can hunt this deer. This deer can be hunted by her.
- Can this deer be hunted by her?

Note:
'who' is changed into  'by whom'
'whom' is changed into  'who'

Other question words are not changed:

- Where did she study this lesson? Active
 She studied this lesson.
This lesson was studied by her.
- Where was this lesson studied by her? Passive

- Who invented the printing machine? Active

Gutenberg invented the printing machine.
The printing machine was invented by Gutenberg.
- By whom was the printing machine invented? Passive

To change the statement from passive into active we apply the

following steps:
a- We put the object in the subject's place
b- b- We drop the word 'by' and also verb [to be].
c- We replace the original verb in the same tense.

- The house was cleaned by the servant. Passive

_ The servant cleaned the house. Active

• If the word 'by' is missing, we put a suitable subject of our own:

- The thief was caught last night.

_ The policeman caught the thief. [suitable subject]

To change the question form from passive into active:

A. We change the sentence into affirmative
B. We change it into active.
C. We change the sentence into a question once more.

- Will the room be painted by Mustafa?

The room will be painted by Mustafa. [A]
Mustafa will paint the room. [B]
- Will Mustafa paint the room? [C]

• 'It is necessary' is changed into 'must be':

It is necessary to switch off the radio after use. Active
The radio must be switched off after use. Passive
• 'It is advisable' is changed into 'should be':
It is advisable to defrost the refrigerator regularly. Active
The refrigerator should be defrosted regularly. Passive
• 'It is possible' is changed into 'may be' or 'can be':
It is possible to store blood in blood banks. Active
Blood can be stored in blood banks. Passive
 Sentences often confused
Active Passive

Ali had breakfast. Breakfast was eaten by Ali.

I have visitors. Visitors are received by me.

They made us work. We. were made to work.
It is said that prices go up. Prices- are said to go up.
No body can deny that ... It is not denied / can't be denied.
People heard Gogo shout. Gogo was heard to shout.
Lily let people cheat her. Lily let herself be cheated.
I had a letter. A letter was received by me.
I have a car. A car is owned by me.
He had a bath. A bath was taken by him.

Causative
We use the 'causative' form to mean that it is arranged, for someone else to do
something
• What is' the difference between the two following sentences?
1- I washed my car.
2- I had my car washed.
1 - The first sentence means that I washed the car myself.
2 - The second sentence means that someone else washed the car.
We call the second sentence 'causative'.
• In causative form the past participle always comes after the object:
Aalia had her dress [object] shortened [past participle].
Osama had his hair [object] cut [past participle].
They will have the window [object] fixed [past participle].
• We can use the word 'get' instead of 'verb to be' with some verbs such as:
arrest - delay - catch - marry - elect - confuse - dress - kill - stuck - hurt -
lose ... etc.
o She got married in November.
o This referee always gets onfused.
o The boys got hurt in the fight.
o The poor man got killed in a car accident.
o They got lost in the desert.
o I always get dressed before having my breakfast.
o The child's head has got stuck in the window.

Exercises
1. Change into passive voice or do as shown between brackets:
1. Somebody was following me. [Begin with: I]
2. The referee cancelled the match. [Use: was cancelled]
3. I left some papers on the table yesterday.
4. He is teaching the lion how to jump through the ring.
5. I had sent a message to my friend. [Use: been]
6. You can not solve this problem easily.
7. I have not found my card yet. [Begin with: My card]
8. She could explain the mystery. [Begin with the underlined word]
9. They will grant him a reward.
10. The pharoes built this pyramid a long time ago.
11. They are building a new bridge across the canal.
12. Did he enjoy the play last night?
13. Why did they cut the tree?
14. People say that the situation is difficult.
15. Hong does not speak Arabic. [Use the word:
spoken]

Key
1. I was being followed 2. The match was cancelled by ...
3. Some papers were left 4. The lion is being taught how ...
5. A message had been sent 6. This problem can not be solved
7. My card has not been found 8. The mystery could be explained
9. He will be granted a reward or A reward will be granted to him
10. This pyramid was built 11. A new bridge is being built
12. Was the play enjoyed? 13. Why was the tree cut?
14. It is said that the ..... 15. Arabic is not spoken by Hong.

2. Change into passive voice: or do as shown between brackets

1. I had some visitors yesterday.
2. I have already repaired the ancient clock.
3. She made some faults. [Use: verb 'to be' without changing the meaning]
4. Ghazi's mother will not forgive him.
5. She must have taken my umbrella by mistake.
6. We expect they will open a new hospital next year.
7. People believe that this tower is very old.
8. The storm has moved the ships away. [Use: have]
9. People know that he is a very honest man.
10. Have they learned driving?
11. Who drew that lovely painting?
12. They expect the strike will end soon.
13. Sea water is going to flood the village.
 14. He was recording her voice. [Use: being]
15. We should defend our country against the invaders.
16. Floods caused the bridge's collapse. . [Use verb to be]
17. They may revise the report. [Begin with: The report]
18. I can't believe the child's words.
19. I will challenge her to a chess match.
[Use: She]
20. The sound of birds awakened me at dawn.
21. 21.' Doctors might have discovered a cure for cancer.
22. It is possible to change our places.
23. It is advisable to learn foreign languages.
24. It is necessary to put on a formal suit.
25. Who scored the goal?
3- Change the sentences into active or do as shown between
Brackets:

1- Many games are practised in the club. [Begin with: People]

2- The two paintings were sold by the artist.
3- Ships are guided by lighthouses. [Begin with: Lighthouses]
4- Many great novels were written by Charles Dickens.
5- Two cities were bombed by the enemy troops.
6- Is water needed by plants?
7- Dogs are disliked by cats. [Begin with: Cats]
8- Many-newspapers are read every day.
9- Children are looked after by mothers.
10-Coal was sold by English companies.
11-Laws were passed to protect whales [Begin with: Lawmakers]
12-A call will be given to you by me. [Use: I]
Key
1. People practise many games in the club. 2. The artist sold the two paintings.
2. Lighthouses guide ships. 4. Charles Dickens wrote many great novels.
3. The enemy troops bombed two cities.
4. Do plants need water?
5. Cats dislike dogs.
6. People read many newspapers every day.
7. Mothers look after children
10. English companies sold coal.
11. Lawmakers passed laws to protect whales.
12. I'll give you a call.

IV- Choose the correct answer

 1. I [have lost - losing - have been lost - had been lost] the match.
2. I [was enjoyed - enjoyed - enjoying - have been enjoyed] it.
3. Birds [building - were built - are built - build] nests in trees.
4. The news [alarmed -:- were alarmed - was alarmed - alarm] us.
5. He [may be - may - were - might be] go and collect the prize.
6. Lu [has been surprised - had been surprised - surprised] me.
7. We [should obey - should be obeyed - were obeyed] our teachers.
8. We [must be called - must call-. were called] an ambulance.
9. He [was switched - be switched - switched] on the lights.
10. Our team [were scored - was scored - scored] two goals.
11. I usually [puts - was put - is put - put] everything in my bag.
12. It [keeps - was kept - is kept - is being kept] water cold.
13. The coach [will be given - will give - is given] us uniforms.
14. You [must - must be - mustn't] throw rubbish on the floor.
15. I'm busy now. I [am served - was served - am serving] her.
16. He [was needed - needed - is needed - need] some money.
17. The mirror [had broken - is breaking - was broken].
18. The field [watered - watering - was watered] by the farmer.

1. have lost 2. enjoyed 3. build

4. alarmed 5. may 6. surprised
7. should obey 8. must call 9. switched
10. scored 11. put 12. keeps
13. will give 14. mustn't 15. am serving
16. needed 17. was broken

V .Choose the correct answer: Active or Passive

1. The policeman [was fined - fined - is fined - is being fined] the
driver for his careless driving.
2. He [found - has been found - finding - was found] his wallet.
3. In the zoo, they [were kept - are kept - keep] animals in cages.
4. The winners [will congratulate - will be congratulated _
congratulate - would congratulate].
5. Your head [protects - should protect - should be protected].
6. The fields [must be watered - must water - watering].
7. I [taking - was taken - took] I,TIy son to the circus.
8. The secret [was not told - not tell - did not tell] to anyone.
9. This passage [can translate - translates - can be translated].
10.We [buying - bought - were bought - are bought] apples.
11.The report [will write - will have been written] by Mustafaorrow.
12.It [says - saying - is said - say] that prices are getting high.
13.A doctor [must call- must calling - calls - must be called].
14.The postman [attack - attacked - was attacked] by a fierce dog.
15.My flight [delayed - delays - is delaying - was delayed].
16.He [brought - was brought - had brought] up in a poor area.
17.A strange sound [heard - hears - was heard· - hearing].
18.Two tickets [have booked - were booked - were booking].
19.A building [destroyed - was destroyed - was destroying].
20.An architect [design - is designed - designs] buildings.
21.The machine [has repaired - has been repaired - repairs].
22.A child [hurt - hurts - got hurt] in an accident.
23.A new document [opened - was opened - opens - opening].
24.Waiters [serve - are served - were served - serving] customers.
25.The wagon [pulled - pulling - pulls - was pulled] by the horse.
Direct and Indirect 'reported' Speech
• Direct speech gives the exact words of the speaker.
• These words are put between two inverted commas:
• - Mona said 'I have passed my driving test’.
• Indirect [reported] speech reports the words of the speaker. These words are
put without inverted commas:
- Mona said that she had passed her driving test.
Statement
How to change the direct statement into reported speech:
• We drop the two inverted commas and join the two sentences with the word
'that' or without it:
• He said 'I don't like bananas'.  He said [that] he did not like bananas.
• We change 'said to' into 'told' followed by 'me', 'him', 'her' ... etc. but we leave
the word 'said' without change.
o He said to her, 'I am not free tonight'.
o He told her [that] he was not free that night.

• If the verb before the inverted commas is in the present tense, we don't change
the tense of verbs that follow:
- He says 'I like reading'. Direct
- He says (that) he likes reading. Indirect [reported]

• If the verb between the inverted commas expresses a fact, we keep the tense
unchanged:
- She said 'The earth goes round’. Direct
- She said that the earth goes round. Indirect [reported]

• Pronouns are changed according to the meaning of the sentence. It is important to

know who said the sentence and to whom:
- Lamia said to me "I've seen you shopping", Direct
- Lamia told me that she had seen me shopping. Indirect

• If the verb before the inverted commas is in the past tense, the other verbs
should be changed according to the table:
Present simple  Past simple
Past simple Past simple or past perfect
Present continuous Past continuous
Present perfect Past perfect
Modals [Can - may - will ... ] [could - might - would ... ]
• If there are two separate sentences, we should join them with 'and', 'and that' or
'and added that':

- 'I am not in the mood' Ali said, 'I'll not go to work'. Direct
- Ali said that he was not in the mood and added that / and that /
and he would not go to work. Indirect

• If the main verb comes after the inverted commas, we should replace it at
the beginning of the sentence:
- 'I can't help you', the teacher said.
- The teacher said that she couldn't help me.

Words to be changed
Direct Indirect

today / tonight that day I that night

yesterday I last night the day before I the night before

tomorrow the next day or' the following day
next week I year the following week I year
a year ago a year before I the previous year
now then
this that
these those
here there
thus so
 Exercises
1- Change into indirect speech or do as shown between brackets:
1. Noha said," I think I lost my keys in the garden".
2. "I'll be here tomorrow", he said. [Begin with: He promised]
3. He says," I run a little cafe near the comer". [He says that…]
4. He said," If it rained, the road would be very wet". [Use: that]
5. "I don't know this place", she said to me. [She remarked that]
6. Lu informed us:" Something/can be done to find my case".
7. It is always said:" Life is a conflict between good and evil".
8. Joe remarked "I may receive a telegram tomorrow".
9. The farmer said happily, "It might rain to-night".
10. "She came very late yesterday", he said to his friend.
11. "I had a bad dream last night", Noha told her mother.
12. The guide said," All buses will be moving in a few minutes".
13. Lami said," I woke up early in the morning feeling very tired".
14. "I'm thinking of going to Paris on the next holiday", she said.
15. "This car is expensive". [Begin with: I thought you told me]
16. My teacher said," Port Said is a charming city".
17. "You can pay the bill now". [Begin with: he informed me]
18. "I work ten hours a day". [Begin with: Hind assured that]
19. Mustafa said to me," I've been fishing a lot recently".
20. "I don't know where he is hiding", I said.
21. I told my friends, "We can't stay anymore in this noisy hotel".
22. "We are really lucky to have this chance", he agreed.
23. "My dreams are turning to ashes”. [He remarked sadly]
24. "A friend of mine came to see me yesterday", he said to me.
25. 'I didn't recognize you.' [Begin with: She explained]

II- Change into direct speech or give the actual words of the speaker:
1. Hesham told his classmate that he had never seen the Pyramids.
2. Our teacher always says that we can get high marks.
3. She told her mother that she was doing her best to succeed.
4. Soha informed her friend that she would buy a new camera.
5. I tell my little kid that human beings cannot live without oxygen.
6. Mustafa told me he would be waiting near the gate at 6 o'clock.
7. I thought you said you have got many relatives.
8. Yousif said that he had a good talk with his friend.
9. Tony informed me he was going away for a couple of days.
 10. Lu told me she felt pleased as she was watching a cartoon film.

Reported Questions

To change a question into reported speech we apply the following steps:

• If the main verb before the inverted commas is in the past tense, we
change it into: inquired – wondered - asked- wanted to know

o Bill said to me," Why have you left the party early?"
o Bill asked me why I had left the party early.

• If the main verb before the inverted commas is in the present tense, we
change it into: inquires. wonders ask/s wants to know
o Mustafa's wife always says to him," How much do you earn?"
o Mustafa's wife always wants to know how much he earns.

• Drop the inverted commas and use the same question word.
• Change the question form into affirmative

• Change the verbs according to the rule:

- He said to me, "How can you solve this problem?"

- He asked me how I could solve that problem.

• We use the joining words 'if' or 'whether' if there is no question word:

- He said to her," Do you like more sugar?"

- He inquired if [whether] she liked more sugar.

•If the question begins with 'do' or ‘does’, change the verbs between the inverted
commas into past tense:
- She said to her friend," Do you take a bath every day?"
- She asked her friend if [whether] she took a bath every day.

• If the question begins with 'Did', change the verbs between the inverted
commas into past simple or past perfect:

- He said," Did you see the film?"

- He asked if [whether] he saw I had seen the film.

• If the verb before the inverted commas is in the past and the question
has just been asked, we don't change the tense of the verbs between
the inverted commas:
- The clerk asked me, "Will you leave your name?”
- The clerk asked me if I will leave my name.

• If we begin the question with: 'Do you mind' or 'Would you mind',
we drop them when we change into reported:
 - "Would you mind turning off the radio?" she said to me.
- She asked me to turn off the radio.

I Exercises I
I. Change into reported speech or do as shown between brackets:
1. He asked me," Where are you going now?"
2. Mona said to her sister, "When will you have lunch?"
3. "Where is the railway station, please?" he asked.
4. He shouted angrily," Do you still remember what I said?"
5. He said," Could I have a glass of lemonade?" [Use: whether]
6. The policeman said to him," Where did you hide the money?"
7. Maha asked her friend," Have you found your lost passport?"
8. "Have you seen my toy? [The child asked his mother]
9. "Do you like music?" [Begin the sentence with: He asked me]
10. "Are Mustafa and Lamia married?" [Begin with: He wanted tal
11. He said to her, "When will you come back?"
12. "Where can I put my money?" [Begin with: He asked where]
13. She asked her friend, "How long have you been here?"
14. He said to her," Do you mind giving me the office's number?"
15. "Why is the sea blue?" My little son often asks.

II. What are the exact words of the speaker? or do as shown between
brackets

1. 1. He wanted to know if I had attended the meeting. [Begin with: He asked

me]
2. The watchman asked the boy what he was doing in the garden.
3. The boy wanted to know why he couldn't eat the apples that had fallen on
the ground.
4. The boy asked again whether the watchman was going to sell those fallen
apples.
5. The guide asked the tourist if he wanted to visit the Valley.
6. The boss wanted to know if Sami was satisfied with his salary.
7. She wanted to know if I moved to my new house. [Begin with: She asked
me ]
8. My friend wanted to inquire about the price of my new car.
9. She wanted to inquire about the number of reports he prepared.
10. The manager wondered whether I had come in time.

Reported Command

• The verb before the inverted commas is changed into:

Ordered - advised - begged - told – warned - reminded - requested
- wished - threatened

• Drop the inverted commas and join the two sentences with 'to' in the
affirmative and 'not to' in the negative:

- My doctor said to me, "Stay in bed for two days".

 - My doctor advised [told] me to stay in bed for two days.

- My father said to me, "Don't waste your time".

- My father advised [told] me not to waste my time.
• Drop the word 'please' in the reported command:

- "Please don't tell anyone this secret", she said to me.

- She asked / begged] / told me not to tell anyone that secret.

Exercise
Change into reported speech and vice versa:

1. He said to me, "Be careful when you climb the hill".

2. She said to her son, "Get your hair cut".
3. "Don't throw waste into the river", he said to the farmer.
4. She advised her daughter not to put all her eggs in one basket.
5. "Don't listen to his lies", he said to me.
6. "Say hello to your grandpa", he said to his little son.
7. He advised his friend to clean his glasses so as to see well.
8. "Lily, stop making this noise, or I'll beat you", he said to her.
9. He reminded his son not to forget to buy stamps.
10. He said to his pupil, "Try to take the photo by yourself".
11. She said "Give me more details about this subject".
12. "Switch off the lights. I want to sleep", he said to his brother.
13. The hunter said to his dog "Go after the pigeon and catch it".
14. Togo's father said to him "Don't forget your bag once more".
15. "Please don't tell anyone what happened", Anne said to me.
Reported Exclamation
• To change the sentence into reported exclamation we use the following
expressions:

Exclaimed with
Admiration - surprise - anger - sorrow- pain - joy - regret
He said," How beautiful is the flower!"
He exclaimed with admiration that the flower was beautiful.

• Words of exclamation such as: [Hurrah – Alas - Oh - What - How] are

dropped. They are replaced with similar expressions with the same
meaning:
He said," Hurrah! I have caught a big fish".
He exclaimed with joy that he had caught a big fish.
She said," Alas! I lost my cat”..
She exclaimed with sorrow that she lost / had lost her cat.
Sentences often Confused

He said, "Yes, I shall go for a walk with you". Direct

He agreed to go for a walk with me. Reported
or He answered in the affirmative. Reported

She said, "No, I shall not leave the place". Direct

She refused to leave the place. Reported
or She answered in the negative Reported

He said to her, "Happy New Year". Direct

He wished her a happy New Year. Reported

He said, "Goodbye [farewell], Ahmad". Direct

He bade Ahmad good bye [farewell]. Indirect

He said to him, "Thank you".

Direct
He thanked him.
Reported

Dir
She said, "Sorry".
ect
She apologized.
Reported
Direc
He said to him, "Hello".
t
He greeted him.
Reported
They said," We must defend our country". Direct
The said [that] they had to defend their country. Reported

He said to me, "You must not smoke". Direct

He told me [that] I must not smoke. Indirect

He said to me, "My mother must go abroad". Direct

He told me [that] his mother would have to go abroad. Reported